Orthodox Church parishioners gather in Rockford to bless Rock River

ROCKFORD - Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church parishioners gathered Sunday on a frosty dock along the Rock River behind the Burpee Museum of Natural History to revive an ancient ritual.

In celebration of the Christian holiday of Epiphany, about 50 people led by the Rev. Jonathan S. Bannon gathered despite the cold and wind to pray, chant and bless the Rock River.

"With our city's desire to transform Rockford, we felt it was important to bring this ancient tradition to life in our region," Bannon said. "It is one way for our parish community to help transfigure Rockford. It will not only be enriching for our own church communities, but is one way in which we ask God to bless all who reside in this area."

At the end of the service, Bannon knelt on the metal dock to dip a wooden cross through a hole in the frozen surface of the river and into the frigid water. Bannon said it was symbolic of Jesus Christ's baptism in the River Jordan, a focus of the holiday in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Many orthodox churches have in recent years revived the outdoor ritual that had been replaced with an indoor service. This is believed to be the first time the Rockford church held the service outdoors, Bannon said.

Among those who gathered for the service was Paula Grady of Poplar Grove, a member of the church who said she thought it was a beautiful service and a show of support for positive change in Rockford and the region.

"Blessing the water is a church tradition and to actually bless the Rock River, Father (Bannon) really wants to be part of the Transform Rockford movement to try to revitalize the city and I think this is an interesting step," Grady said.

Christ the Saviour Church is an Orthodox Church founded by displaced people from Belarus, Ukraine and Poland who had moved to Rockford after World War II, according to information from the church.